Stamp transferring mechanism



195?- E. w. JACKSON Er AL 2,621,434

STAMP TRANSFERRING MECHANISM Filed July 21, 1950 2 SHEEITS-SHEET 1 ,F QZ

g WZ6INVENTORS:

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 16,1952

Ernest W. J ackson, Austin, and Marvin S.

Alpine, Tex.,

Burke,

assignors to The Steck Company,

Austin, Tex., a corporation of Texas Application July 21, 1950, Serial N 0. 175,277

8 Claims.

Our invention relates to an improved mechabers, with the consequent requirements of time and labor, it is highly desirable to provide machinery capable of efficiently performing this operation. However,v it is also highly desirable to provide machinery of a relatively portable nature capable of meeting the requirements of a specific locality, since the stampsv used in different placesvary and as a consequence the most practical time to apply stamps is after the cigarettes reach the locality of sale.

The apparatus of the present; invention fulfills the foregoing requirements in a new and improved manner in that it is highly efficient in operation, applies stamps rapidly to the packages .in automatic fashion and is of small size, low cost, and simple, to the end that it canbe used effectively by unskilled operators in small scale local enterprises.

It is therefore a general object of the present inventionto provide an improved stamp. applying machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved stamp applying machine characterized by small size, simplicity, and. low

cost.

Further it is an object of the presentrinvene tion to provide an improved stamp applying; ma-

chine capable of transferring decal type stamps securely carried by a web of paper orthe like from the web to the objects to be stamped in automatic fashion and in the face upposition.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a highly positive mechanism to withdraw decal stamps: from a web and to'deposit the same on the objects to be stamped.

The novel features which we believe to be characteristic of our invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. Our invention itself, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood-by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Figure 1 is an end elevational view of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view through axis 2 2, Figure 1, showing the stamp-carrying web inplace;

Figure. 3 is, anenlarged' fragmentary side elevational view like Figure 2, showing the'transfer wheel;

Figure 4' is a cross-sectional view through axis 44, Figure and,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the web upon which the stamps are carried and the belt carrying the web.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2-, the mechanism comprises a base plate Ill carrying p i ht pairs of frame defining posts I 2,, I 4, and I6. A pair of. longitudinal bars I8 extend between eachv pair of posts It and 14 as shown. 7

A. conveyor belt for the objects to be stamped is indicated at 20, Figures 1 and 2. This belt is carried by the pulleys 22 which are supported on suitable posts" 24 from the base Ill. The belt 20 is driven in continuous uniform motion by the drive pulley 25 which is driven in accord with the motions of. the other parts of the structure as described in further detail hereafter.

Cigarette cartons 26 on the belt 20 are shown in phantom in Figures 1 and 2. These cartons usually contain ten cigarette packages 21' arranged in five pairs as shown. The top of the carton is opened by suitable means (not shown) to expose the tops of the successive packages as they are carried in the carton 26 by the belt 20.

Transfer or carrier wheel 28 is journaled in beams 30 which extend between the pairs of posts I 2 and M, This wheel is slightly wider than the packages 28 as shown in Figure 1 and its axis is transverse to the direction of motion of the cartons 26 and so spaced above the cartons as to engage the same as described in detail hereafter; The" carrierwheel 28 withdraws the stamps from the carrying web and deposits the sameon the successive packages 27 in each carton 25.

A roller 32 is journal'ed' inthe crossbar 34 above and in. line with the wheel 28.. This. roller engages. the protruding stamp-carrying. pads 36 of the wheel 28 as shown and carries the belt 37 which also extends over the guide roller 38. carried by the posts H5. Intermediate therollers 32. and.38, the cross bars 18 carry a. shallow tank 40 filled with. water or other appropriate stamp loosening fluid. The belt .31 is guided into this tank by the relatively small guide rollers 42, Al i, 46,. and. 48., as shown, these rollersv being carried by suitable journals on the tank 40. Preferably the rollers 42, 44, 46, and 48 have central por tions of reduced diameter to avoid damage to stamps on the web 54.

The roll 50, wound about mandrel 52,. is made up of a web; 54. carrying two series of spaced. stamps; The arrangement of this roll is shown in plan view in Figure 5. The web, indicated at 54, is of paper or like material and carries the stamps 51 on the outer face as seen in the roll 50. In the mechanism, the web 54 overlays the belt 31 over guide roller 38, into tank 48, and over the roller 32. In the tank 40, the web is wetted and as a consequence of the wetting tends to stick to the belt 31 which is maintained in a damp condition by reason of its passage through the tank 20. The web 54 accordingly adheres to the belt 31 as it travels over roller 32 and over the guide pulley 56 and does not peel on from the belt until the fixed separating knife 58 is reached.

The roller 32, wheel 28 and belt 23 are driven in unison and at speeds such that the roller 28 rotates the distance between adjacent pads 3'5 when the objects being stamped (the cigarette packages 21, Figure .2) travel their center-tocenter distance and during this time the roller 32 rotates the distance between two sets of stamps. It will be apparent, therefore, that the roller or wheel 28 will travel at a greater peripheral speed than the linear speed of the conveyor belt. Otherwise, the stamps could not be spaced out around the circumference of roller 28 by a considerably greater distance apart than they are when traveling on conveyor belt 31. This is accomplished by the gears 50 and 82 which drive roller 32 from the wheel 28 and by the chain 64 which rides on sprockets on shafts 66 and 88, Figure 1, to rotate roller in unison with the rotations of the wheel 28. The wheel 28 is driven by belt 66, Figure 1, from the motor 68 as shown.

In order to withdraw stamps positively from the web 54 and to de osit stamps positively on the packages 21, the stamp receiving pads 38 are arranged to attract the stamps as they engage the web 54 and to repel the stamps as they reach the packages 21. To this end the stamp carrying pads 33 are perforated as shown in Figure l to form a mesh of fine holes 18. Immediately underneath each pad a cavity 12 is provided as shown in Figure 4, the cavities for each pair of pads 36 communicating with an axial passage 14. These axial passages all extend to the side face 18 of the wheel 28 and open on the annular groove 16 therein. The groove 18 and passages 14 define an annular slip ring upon which the fixed suction and pressure pipes 88 and 82 ride at the upper and lower diametrically opposed positions as shown.

The suction and pressure pipes 88 and 82 extend to the suction and pressure connections of the air pump 84, Figure 1. This pump is driven by motor 59 and draws air into pipe 80 and forces it out of pipe 82.

At their ends, the pipes 80 and 82 terminate in brushes 84 and 85, respectively, which fit snugly in the annular groove 18 and ride snugly against the bottom face 18a of that groove. Preferably'the brush 84 defines a tear drop shaped opening 84a, Figure 3, which wipes over the face 16a of the groove 16 to cause a rapid rise and slow decay of the suction pressure in each cavity 12 as its stamp carrying mesh 10 engages the web 54. Similarly, the brush 86 preferably defines atear drop shaped opening 880, where it rides on the bottom 16a of groove 16 to provide a rapid buildup of pressure as the stamp carrying mesh 18 engages the package 21.

In order to index the web 54 relative to the roller 32 (and hence the wheel 28), the belt 31 carries a series of spaced protuberances 88, Figure 5, which are received in the corresponding index holes -90 in the web 54.

Operation During operation of the mechanism of the drawings, the motor 68 is energized to turn the form velocity.

As the successive packages 21 travel past point A, the stamp carrying pads 36 of the wheel 28 (which are spaced circumferentially by the center-to-center spacing of the packages 21) engage the successive packages 21, since the peripheral speed of the wheel 28 equals the linear speed of the belt 28 by reason of the chain 64. Because of the equal linear velocities of the pads 36 and the packages 21, there is no slipping but merely formation of contact and its subsequent withdrawal. During the contact pressure is applied to the chambers 12 of each stamp carrying pad 36 to urge the stamp away from the wheel 28 and onto the packages 21. The pressure is applied at this point because the brush is located to register with the corresponding passage 14 at this time.

The engagement between the pads 36 and the respective packages 21 is a non-wiping pressure engagement with the stamps being urged towards the packages. When the engagement is broken, the stamps are peeled off the pads 36 so that at any instant the stamp is bein separated from the wheel 28 along only a single line and not over a large surface. As a consequence the stamp separates easily and is firmly aflixed to the package.

The stamps are picked up by the stamp-carrying pads 33 of the wheel 28 by the contact between web 54 and these pads, which contact occurs at point B, Figure 2. Since the web 54 moves the relatively short distance between two stamps during the same time the wheel 28 rotates the much greater distance between adjacent pads 36, the latter move over the former with a wiping action, and since the pads 36 are relativelydry as compared to the wet surface of web 54, the stamps tend to adhere to the pads 35 and to slip relative to the web. In other words, belt 31 carrying web 54 thereon travels at a lesser speed than the peripheral speed of wheel 28. As indicated previously, this is accomplished by the;

driving ratio between gears 60 and 52, gear 58 being rigidly secured to shaft 66 on. which wheel 28 ismounted, while gear 62 is rigidly fixed to the shaft on which roller 32 is mounted.

The circular configuration of the web 54 as it travels with belt 31 over roller 32, in conjunction with the circular configuration of the wheel 28,

cause the pads 33 and the web 54 to travel diverg-- ing paths relative to each other, with the con' sequence that the stamps separate from the web and adhere to the pads 33. The suction applied to each pad at point B supplements and aids the tendency of the stamps to detach and assures a positive feed of each stamp from the web to the pad 35.

While the web 54 travels in a circular path at point B, thus giving a considerable diverging travel in relation to the pads 38, other conformasions of belt 31 may be used in this region so long as-the'resulting-paths of movement diverge. One such path is formed by causing the belt 31 and web-54 to. travel intanlinear path at 'pointB.

It will be observed that the pads 36, together with the cavities-'12; define stamp carrying parts on the wheel 28 spaced by the center-to-center spacing of. the packages 2"].

The stamps-fi l carriedbythe web 54zareshown in the drawing as bearing a simple cross marking; Of course, the particular markingforms no partofthe present invention and will-vary withthe tax represented by the stamps. The web) may be of paper or like material and carries awater sensitive adhesive-that becomes quite slip pery when wet so that the individual stamps (which are of water-resistant film-like material) may readily slide relative to the web.

If it is desired to accommodate the mechansimto packages 2'1 of varying height, adjustable ele mentsmay be provided to raiseor lower beltzfl without varying its velocity of travel.

"While we have shownand described a specific embodiment of the present invention, it will of course 'beunderstood that many modifications and alternative constructions may be made without departing from the true spirit and scopethereof. We therefore intend by the appended claims to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the true spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letteds Patent ofthe United States is:

1. In a mechanism forapplying stamps to successive objects as they travel uniformly past a fixed point, the combination comprising. a retatably mounted wheel having on its peripheral surface a plurality of protruding stamp carrying pads, said pads being spaced circumferentially to correspond to the eenter-to-center spac ing-of the successive objects, a, conveyor means spaced from said wheel for carrying said objects past said fixed point, said conveyor means being aligned with respect to said wheel to carry said objects past said wheel so that one of said stamp carrying pads is pressed against each of said objects at said fixed point, means for moving said conveyor means at a uniform linear speed, and means for rotating said wheel at substantially the same peripheral speed as the linear speed of said conveyor means.

2. In a mechanism for applying stamps to suecessive objects as they travel uniformly past a fixed point, the combination comprising a rotatably mounted wheel having on its surface aplurality of portruding stamp carrying pads spaced circumferentially in correspondence with the center-to-center spacing of the successive objects; said pads having convex surfaces with a plurality of perforations therethrough, said wheel having gas-filled interior passages communicating with the perforations in said pads, means for increasing the pressure of said gas within said passages to assist in disengaging the stamps from said pads, a conveyor means spaced from said wheel for carrying said objects past said fixed point, said conveyor means being aligned with respect to said wheel to carry said objects past said wheel so that one of said stamp carrying pads is pressed against each 'ofsaid objects at said fixed point, means for moving said conveyor means at a uniform linear speed, and means for rotating said wheel at substantially the same peripheral speed as the linear speed of said conveyor means.

j 3. In a mechanism for applying stamps to'sucstamps on said pads,

cessive objects as they travel. uniformly pasta;

ring and. communicate with 'the-surtacethereof to impartincreased pressure to th gas in said passages to: assist in transferring the stamps to the objects, a conveyor means spaced from said wheel for carrying said objects past said fixed point, said conveyor means being aligned :withrespect to said wheel to carry said objects pastsaid wheel so that. one of said stamp carrying pads is pressed against each of said objects a't said fixedpoint, means for'moving said conveyor means at a uniform linear speed, and means for-- rotating said wheel at substantially the same peripheral speed as the linear speed of said con-- veyor means;

4. In a mechanism for applying stamps to successive objectsas they travel uniformly past a point, t'h e combination comprising a tatably mounted wheel having on its-peripherya plurality of protruding stamp carrying pads, said pads having convex surfaces and being spaced circumferential-1y in correspondence with the center-to-center spacing of the successive objects, a continuous conveyor belt for'depositing' said conveyor belt beingaligned withres-peet to said wheel to carry said stamps past said wheel so that eafihv of said stamp carrying pads is pressed against a stamp on said belt, means for moving said belt at a uniform linear speed, and means for rotating said wheel at a greater peripheral speedthan the linear speed of said conveyorbelt.

5. In a mechanism for applying stamps to successive objects as they travel uniformly past a fixed point, the combination comprising a rotatably mounted wheel having on its periphery a plurality of protruding stamp carrying pads, said pads having convex surfaces lying in a surface concentric to said wheel and being spaced circumferentially in correspondence with the center-to-center spacing of the successive objects, a second rotatably mounted wheel of smaller diameter than said first-mentioned wheel and aligned therewith so that the peripheries of said wheels are adjacent at a point, a continuous conveyor belt for depositing stamps on said pads passing over said second-mentioned wheel and engaging said stamp carryin pads at the adjacent point of said wheel peripheries, means for rotating said second-mentioned wheel at a uniform peripheral speed, and means for rotating said first-mentioned wheel at a greater peripheral speed than the peripheral speed of said second-mentioned wheel.

6. In a mechanism for applying stamps to successive objects as they travel uniformly past a fixed point, the combination comprising a rotatably mounted wheel having on its periphery a plurality of stamp carrying pads spaced circumferentially by the center-to-center spacing of the successive objects, said pads having a plurality of perforations therein, said wheel having interior passages communicatin with the perforations in said pad, means for reducing the gas pressure within said passages to assist in depositing stamps on said pads, a continuous conveyor belt for depositing stamps on said pads, said conveyor belt being aligned with respect to said wheel to carry said stamps past said wheel so that each of said stamp carrying pads is pressed against a stamp carried on said belt, means for moving said belt at a uniform speed, and means for rotating said wheel at a greater peripheral speed than the speed of said conveyor belt.

7. In a mechanism for applying stamps to suecessive objects as they travel uniformly past a fixed point, the combination comprising a rotatably mounted wheel having on its peripheral surface a plurality of convex stamp carrying pads spaced circumferentially by the center-to-center spacing of the successive objects, said pads having a plurality of perforations therein, said wheel having interior passages communicating with said perforations and extending to a surface of the wheel to provide a slip ring thereon, fixed suction and pressure pipes positioned to ride on the slip ring and communicate with the surface thereof to impart suction and pressure to the passages to assist in engaging and disengaging the stamps on said pads, a conveyor means spaced from said wheel for conveying said objects past said fixed point, said conveyor means being aligned with respect to said wheel to carry said objects along a tangential line past said wheel so that one of said stamp carrying pads is pressed against each of said objects at said fixed point, a continuous conveyor belt for depositing stamps on said pads, said conveyor belt being aligned with respect to said wheel to carry said stamps past said wheel so that each of said stamp carrying pads is pressed against a stamp on said belt, means for moving said conveyor means at a uniform linear speed, means for rotating said wheel at substantially the same peripheral speed as the linear speed of said conveyor means, and means for moving said belt at a lesser speed than the peripheral speed of said wheel.

8. In a mechanism for applying stamps to suecessive objects as they travel uniformly past a fixed point, the combination comprising a rotatably mounted wheel having on its peripheral surface a plurality of protruding stamp-carrying pads, said pads being spaced circumferentially to correspond to the center-to-center spacing of the successive objects, and conveyor means spaced from said wheel for carrying said objects past said fixed point, said conveyor means being aligned with respect to said wheel to carry said objects past said wheel so that one of said stampcarrying pads is pressed against each of said objects at said fixed point, a continuous conveyor belt for depositing stamps on said pads at a fixed point circumferentially spaced from said firstmentioned fixed point, said conveyor belt being aligned with respect to said wheel to carry said stamps past said wheel so that each of said stamp-carrying pads is pressed against a stamp on said belt, means for moving said conveyor means at a uniform linear speed, means'for rotating said wheel at substantially the same peripheral speed as the linear speed of said conveyor means, and means for moving said belt at a lesser speed than the peripheral speed of said Wheel. 7

' ERNEST W. JACKSON.

MARVIN S. BURKE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,290,365 Wynne July 21, 1942 2,305,553 OrsWell Dec. 15, 1942 2,353,352 Muir July 11, 1944- 2,435,224 Klopfenstein et al. Feb. 3, 1948 

